Now that there is a 40+ league, it would be interesting if the 18+ went to a format similar to college tennis. This would play the doubles lines first and allow the dubs players to also play singles in the same match. Maybe even switch it around and have two doubles lines and 3 singles lines.

Advantages would be: facilities with only three courts could be used; smaller teams, more teams would open up smaller markets that normally don't have usta leagues

You can kiss ladies USTA rec play goodbye. It is crazy hard to find enough singles players each year. Few ladies want to play singles, and those who do get hurt a lot and have limits to how often they can safely play.

If I had a magic wand, I would separate singles and doubles completely. You would have USTA league with five courts of doubles, and you would have a separate league with three courts of singles.

Requiring teams to field both singles and doubles is a source of endless migraines.

Now that there is a 40+ league, it would be interesting if the 18+ went to a format similar to college tennis. This would play the doubles lines first and allow the dubs players to also play singles in the same match. Maybe even switch it around and have two doubles lines and 3 singles lines.

Advantages would be: facilities with only three courts could be used; smaller teams, more teams would open up smaller markets that normally don't have usta leagues

That is provided that 3 guys want to play singles in a 40+ league. We have trouble finding 2 guys that want to play singles that are any good.

That is my first thought as well. The format is exciting, but requires really strong fitness levels.

I think the usta 2/3 system is pretty ideal for the weekend warriors who aren't training as full time tennis players.

The doubles lines in college tennis are played as an 8 game pro set. The team that wins that gets a single point. Then the 6 singles are all 1 point each. Many times once the overall match is decided, the remaining people who are playing singles will stop the match regardless of score. That happens more during playoffs and team tournaments than regular season but both these could alleviate the fitness level issues.

I doubt though that this format would work for adult recreational levels, because I don't see teams wanting that much singles. Even a 2/3 system I doubt would be popular. The people who really want singles generally will play tournaments and flex type leagues.

We have a non-USTA league that plays a 3S/4D format with prosets (8 for S, 10 for D). Players can play both in the same morning. "Promotion" is done on a team basis and relegation style. Top two teams move up, bottom two move down.

Have to say, it's highly successful around here...and infinitely more laid back than USTA. There is no formal "league fee," rather there's a relatively nominal team fee and most teams include the season's worth of balls before dividing it up. Home (club, neighborhood or reservable public court) team provides courts. This year, I paid $13 to play two, 7-week seasons, split between Fall and Spring. There are fairly liberal "substitution" policies and many teams run with a thinner roster since they can "sub" in a player from a lower division. I have been able to play in every week's lineup that my personal schedule allowed.

And, because the it's the "team's" placement, individual players can range all over the NTRP spectrum or not even have a rating at all. There are some rules about having to play "in order of strength," and after having played for several years, the vast majority of teams play it that way. Our team ranges from a 4.5 to 3.5s and I've had the pleasure to play with them all at some point or another.

It's so fun...even our club pros play in it...while they often shun USTA (or can't because there's not a league/team for them in our area).

We have a non-USTA league that plays a 3S/4D format with prosets (8 for S, 10 for D). Players can play both in the same morning. "Promotion" is done on a team basis and relegation style. Top two teams move up, bottom two move down.

Have to say, it's highly successful around here...and infinitely more laid back than USTA. There is no formal "league fee," rather there's a relatively nominal team fee and most teams include the season's worth of balls before dividing it up. Home (club, neighborhood or reservable public court) team provides courts. This year, I paid $13 to play two, 7-week seasons, split between Fall and Spring. There are fairly liberal "substitution" policies and many teams run with a thinner roster since they can "sub" in a player from a lower division. I have been able to play in every week's lineup that my personal schedule allowed.

And, because the it's the "team's" placement, individual players can range all over the NTRP spectrum or not even have a rating at all. There are some rules about having to play "in order of strength," and after having played for several years, the vast majority of teams play it that way. Our team ranges from a 4.5 to 3.5s and I've had the pleasure to play with them all at some point or another.

It's so fun...even our club pros play in it...while they often shun USTA (or can't because there's not a league/team for them in our area).

See, that seems like a way more fun way to play team tennis than USTA IMO!

We have a non-USTA league that plays a 3S/4D format with prosets (8 for S, 10 for D). Players can play both in the same morning. "Promotion" is done on a team basis and relegation style. Top two teams move up, bottom two move down.

Have to say, it's highly successful around here...and infinitely more laid back than USTA. There is no formal "league fee," rather there's a relatively nominal team fee and most teams include the season's worth of balls before dividing it up. Home (club, neighborhood or reservable public court) team provides courts. This year, I paid $13 to play two, 7-week seasons, split between Fall and Spring. There are fairly liberal "substitution" policies and many teams run with a thinner roster since they can "sub" in a player from a lower division. I have been able to play in every week's lineup that my personal schedule allowed.

And, because the it's the "team's" placement, individual players can range all over the NTRP spectrum or not even have a rating at all. There are some rules about having to play "in order of strength," and after having played for several years, the vast majority of teams play it that way. Our team ranges from a 4.5 to 3.5s and I've had the pleasure to play with them all at some point or another.

It's so fun...even our club pros play in it...while they often shun USTA (or can't because there's not a league/team for them in our area).

I used to play in a similar league. I thought it was great - the format, the fact that it's not based on individual players' ratings, and the relegation/promotion but no playoffs aspect.

Unfortunately it no longer exists - USTA is pretty much the only game in town now (bay area). I think most people prefer the playoffs / postseason aspect of USTA. Personally, I think league is better when the emphasis is on the regular season as opposed to playoffs, but I think I am in the minority.